WOK Archives

Today in America, one of the toughest obstacles our children face is growing up successfully in our society. Even the most economically advantaged children are constantly confronted with difficult social and educational issues. And for kids who come from underprivileged backgrounds, with few or no positive role models to help guide them through these obstacles, the chances of developing into successful, productive adults are slim.

STARBASE (Science and Technology Academies Reinforcing Basic Aviation and Space Exploration) began in 1991 at the Selfridge Air National Guard base in Michigan. This intervention program is designed to ignite the interest of at-risk youth in science, math, technology, goal setting and positive life choices by exposing them to the technological environments and positive role models of the National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Naval bases. In 1992, the Kansas Air and Army National Guard launched Kansas STARBASE. Kansas STARBASE is an authorized program of the U.S. Department of Defense.

We have worked with nearly 41,000 Kansas’ children improving their interest in the areas of math, science or technology as well as instilling a sense of pride and personal accomplishment. It is those traits by which we believe will increase the number of students going into the math, science and technology areas once they have completed their secondary education.

The Kansas STARBASE program is the largest in the U.S. We have four locations in Wichita, Topeka, Salina and Kansas City, Kansas. Most of our funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Defense, but that is to support only two sites not four. We receive support from many Kansas companies and foundations to help supplement our federal support. In addition to the program for 4th – 6th graders, we have developed an advanced course for 10th – 12th graders. Those pilot sessions have been held at our Salina site in cooperation with Kansas State University’s College of Technology and Aviation.

We are committed to giving these at-risk children a chance to realize their individual potential and reinforce their desire to remain in school. Furthermore, give them a fun, exciting platform to learn math, science and technology that not only benefits them, but their future employers and their community.